Thurles

Thurles is a town in County Tipperary, Ireland. It is located in the civil parish of same name in the barony of Eliogarty and in the ecclesiastical parish of Thurles. The town is the administrative centre of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly, and is the seat of North Tipperary county council.

History

Thurles was originally an agricultural market town. It is now a retail and commercial centre, with a focus on education and health services. The history of Thurles is closely associated with the Butler Dynasty, a family who arrived in Ireland during the 12th century Norman invasion.

Geography

Thurles is located in mid-County Tipperary and is surrounded by the Silvermine Mountains to the northwest and the Slieveardagh Hills to the southeast. The town itself is built on a crossing of the River Suir.

Economy

The economy of Thurles is driven by the retail and services sector, with a number of national and international retailers present in the town. Thurles also has a strong agricultural base with several large farms surrounding the town.

Culture

Thurles is known for its cultural and sporting heritage. The town is home to the Semple Stadium, one of the largest sports stadiums in Ireland and the birthplace of the Gaelic Athletic Association. Thurles also hosts the annual Féile na nGael, an international festival of Irish traditional music.

Education

Thurles is home to several educational institutions, including the Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT), Thurles CBS secondary school, and two primary schools.

Transport

Thurles is well connected by road and rail. The N62 national route connects the town to the cities of Limerick and Dublin. Thurles railway station, part of the Irish Rail network, provides regular services to Dublin and Cork.

See also

• List of towns and villages in Ireland
• History of Ireland